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The state launched a process to evaluate each camera and called on cities to submit annual reports to them on the cameras. The reports included reasons why the cameras were added, number of tickets issued and crash statistics. Many cities added the cameras citing a goal of improved safety on the roads.

REMOVE I-235 CAMS:

The DOT report called on the city of Des Moines to "remove the eastbound I-235 cameras near Mile Marker 4.9" by April 17.

The reports were just released to cities on Tuesday morning.

"The city may appeal this decision pursuant to Iowa Administrative Code 761 -- 144.9(307). Such an appeal should be submitted to the Iowa Department of Transportation Director within 30 days of the date of this decision."

"It is basically the highest traffic volume location in the state and yet we're having very few crashes," said Steve Gent, Iowa DOT's director of traffic and safety.

The DOT report found that since the city put up the cameras, the number of crashes has decreased by less than 3 percent.

The number of speeding tickets handed out from that camera totaled more than 42,000 in 2013, up from more than 36,000 the year before.

"It's really hard to justify that the public is paying that much in fines for that little safety benefit," said Gent.

CITY REACTION:

"The Des Moines Police Department, earlier today, received a copy of the Iowa Department of Transportation's evaluation of the Automated Traffic Enforcement Program and their findings to remove the speed enforcement cameras from I-235. The Des Moines Police and City of Des Moines Administrators will be considering all options at this point."

The I-235 cameras were activated in October 2011.

New rules approved to govern automated traffic cameras call for the cameras to be used only in "extremely limited situations on interstate roads because they are the safest class of any roadway in the state and they typically carry a significant amount of non-familiar motorists."

"Local drivers are typically aware of speed cameras and therefore monitor their speed accordingly. Non-familiar drivers often do not see/read the photo enforced signs and therefore may not monitor their speed accordingly," reads the report.

OTHER DES MOINES CAMERAS:

The city will be allowed to keep two red light traffic cameras that are governed by the DOT, located near or on I-235 ramps. They are located at East 15th and Maple streets and at Martin Luther King and School Street.

The DOT called on the city to, "Place an additional 'photo enforced' sign on School Street/exit ramp closer to MLK Blvd."

"The DOT wants to work with the city to conduct an operational analysis of the intersection to determine if prohibiting all right-turn-on-red movements, for eastbound School Street to southbound MLK Blvd, would improve the overall safety of this area," reads the report.

CAMERAS ACROSS IOWA:

The evaluation reports by the DOT were released to Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Muscatine, Des Moines, Davenport and Sioux City.

The DOT reviewed 34 camera locations, 24 of which will be allowed to continue.

The DOT called on Cedar Rapids to move and remove some of its cameras on Interstate 380. The city has cameras at four locations along I-380. The report called the cameras in the northbound lanes around the roadway's S-curve "unnecessary."

"I think it's a very fair evaluation process. I think every city was treated fairly. I think the process is solid," said Gent.